Gustav could be final blow for shrimpers

Dustin Chauvin, left, and Chance McCorkel work to place a tire between two shrimp boats while getting ready for Hurricane Gustav Saturday in Chauvin.

MATT STAMEY/STAFF

Matthew PleasantStaff Writer

Published: Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 7:18 p.m.

CHAUVIN — Chico Lirette stood next to his withered shrimp boat, lashed to a group of pilings off Bayouside Drive, and yelled to his neighbor.

“Hey,” Lirette said. “You want to buy a boat?”

His neighbor passed.

Like nearly everyone in this community along Bayou Little Caillou Saturday, Lirette was preparing for a storm predicted to roar ashore in just a few days.

But Lirette was just as concerned about those who could be faced with the decision he was forced to make after Hurricane Rita damaged his trawler three years ago.

Saddled with the increasing cost of ice, fuel and other trade necessities, as well as dropping shrimp prices, he said many shrimpers fear another hurricane could end their careers.

Though he managed to salvage his partially flooded boat after Rita, Lirette said he decided to become a crewboat captain.

“There’s a steady paycheck in that,” he said.

Lirette helped his brother, Kim Lirette, lower the rigging from his trawler onto the soft grass beside the bayou.

Kim is the last in his family to carry on the business handed down from their father, he said. He started when he was 16.

“I prefer this to a job,” Kim Lirette, 43, said. “A job just has too many bosses.”

Kim Lirette returned to Chauvin Friday after seven days offshore to prepare for the storm, prematurely ending what he described as a good trip.

He immediately sold his catch to a processing factory, making about $9,000 – enough to cover about $2,000 in expenses and bills.

“I’m going to struggle as long as I can,” he said.

Both men said they plan to stay for Hurricane Gustav. They stay to protect their boats, a decision that can split families apart during an evacuation.

Farther up the bayou, Kim Chauvin used the wax-coated cardboard shrimp boxes to pack her children’s clothes and photo albums.

Her husband, David, planned to weather the storm on one of three shrimp boats they own. If the water rises, someone needs to be there to adjust the ropes securing the vessel, he said.

He won’t have time to fear the approaching storm, he said, adding, “You’re too busy to be scared.”

He dropped the anchors on all three boats and stood aboard the Mariah Jade, a boat named for the couple’s 12-year-old daughter. She’s also the namesake of their successful shrimp company.

They began the company about eight years ago and grew it piece by piece. In addition to their small fleet, the couple employs about 10 workers, they said.

On Friday, David sold shrimp at a cut-rate price to anyone with a back-up generator so they can keep it fresh if power goes out. He stored what was left in his truck – about 23,000 pounds that his wife plans to leave with family in Sevierville, Tenn.

Kim Chauvin said many shrimpers might be driven from the profession if their home and boat is destroyed. But if they’re young enough and bull-headed enough, they will be able to start anew.

“It’s easier said than done when everything is destroyed,” she said.

Kim spent a lot of Friday night praying because it calms her mind, she said. Even if the worst comes, she said she’s a firm believer that God never gives you more than you can handle.

<p>CHAUVIN  Chico Lirette stood next to his withered shrimp boat, lashed to a group of pilings off Bayouside Drive, and yelled to his neighbor.</p><p>Hey, Lirette said. You want to buy a boat?</p><p>His neighbor passed.</p><p>Like nearly everyone in this community along Bayou Little Caillou Saturday, Lirette was preparing for a storm predicted to roar ashore in just a few days.</p><p>But Lirette was just as concerned about those who could be faced with the decision he was forced to make after Hurricane Rita damaged his trawler three years ago.</p><p>Saddled with the increasing cost of ice, fuel and other trade necessities, as well as dropping shrimp prices, he said many shrimpers fear another hurricane could end their careers.</p><p>Though he managed to salvage his partially flooded boat after Rita, Lirette said he decided to become a crewboat captain.</p><p>There’s a steady paycheck in that, he said.</p><p>Lirette helped his brother, Kim Lirette, lower the rigging from his trawler onto the soft grass beside the bayou.</p><p>Kim is the last in his family to carry on the business handed down from their father, he said. He started when he was 16.</p><p>I prefer this to a job, Kim Lirette, 43, said. A job just has too many bosses.</p><p>Kim Lirette returned to Chauvin Friday after seven days offshore to prepare for the storm, prematurely ending what he described as a good trip.</p><p>He immediately sold his catch to a processing factory, making about $9,000 – enough to cover about $2,000 in expenses and bills.</p><p>I’m going to struggle as long as I can, he said.</p><p>Both men said they plan to stay for Hurricane Gustav. They stay to protect their boats, a decision that can split families apart during an evacuation.</p><p>Farther up the bayou, Kim Chauvin used the wax-coated cardboard shrimp boxes to pack her children’s clothes and photo albums.</p><p>Her husband, David, planned to weather the storm on one of three shrimp boats they own. If the water rises, someone needs to be there to adjust the ropes securing the vessel, he said.</p><p>He won’t have time to fear the approaching storm, he said, adding, You’re too busy to be scared.</p><p>He dropped the anchors on all three boats and stood aboard the Mariah Jade, a boat named for the couple’s 12-year-old daughter. She’s also the namesake of their successful shrimp company.</p><p>They began the company about eight years ago and grew it piece by piece. In addition to their small fleet, the couple employs about 10 workers, they said.</p><p>On Friday, David sold shrimp at a cut-rate price to anyone with a back-up generator so they can keep it fresh if power goes out. He stored what was left in his truck – about 23,000 pounds that his wife plans to leave with family in Sevierville, Tenn.</p><p>Kim Chauvin said many shrimpers might be driven from the profession if their home and boat is destroyed. But if they’re young enough and bull-headed enough, they will be able to start anew.</p><p>It’s easier said than done when everything is destroyed, she said.</p><p>Kim spent a lot of Friday night praying because it calms her mind, she said. Even if the worst comes, she said she’s a firm believer that God never gives you more than you can handle.</p><p>The question is, how mush does God think you can handle? she said.</p>